Apparatus for powdering frictionally-ignitable material.



- c L. mason. w APPARATUS FOR POWDYERING FBICTIONALLYIGN ITABLE MATERIALS.

APPLICATION HLED- SEPT. 20. I9".

Eatented Feb. 4, 1919..

5 SHEETS-SHEEI I.

C. L. PFERSCH.

APPARATUS FOR FOWDERING FRIGTIONALLY IGNITABLE MATERIALS APPLICATION FILED SEPT.20. I917.

1,293,188, Patented Feb. 4,1919.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Clara/we. L 1' l-sc/l,

C.'L. PFERSCH. APPARATUS FOR POW DERING FRICTIONALLY IGNITABLE MATERIALS.

:APPucAfloN men SEPT. 20. 1911.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- allllI!!!I!llllllI!iillillllllllllllllllllllll'iill v V V 1 h I C. L. PFERSCH.

APPARATUS FOR POWDERING FRICIIONALLY IGNITABLE MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-20. I917.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

(3.. L. PFERSCH.

APBARAIUS. FOR POWDERING FRLGTEONALLY IGNITAB'LE, MWT ER IKLS n APPLICATION HLED SEPT. 20, I917- 1,293,,1 88.. Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

5 SAHEEISS HEEI 5.

* I ClafiazcalPfemsciL N H SAT -CLARENCE L. PFERSCH, OF BARBERTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR-TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patentedlfieb. a, 1919..

Application filed September 20, 1917. Serial No. 192,255.

' Powdering Frictionally-Ignitable Material,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for powdering agglomerate masses of frictionally ignitable substance, and more especlally for crushing and finally dividing sequisulfid of phosphorus preparatory to its use as an ingredient in match compositions. This non-poisonous phosphorus compound when it is delivered to the match factory usually comprises agglomerate masses of powder of various shapes and sizes and of different conditions of hardness, which masses, by reason of the highly inflammable property of the compound an its easy ignitability by rubbing friction, have heretofore been reduced by the manual use of wooden rolling pins. This is a slow, tedious and relatively expensive operation, which, even with the exercise of extreme care, frequently causes ignition of the sensitive material.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus whereby material of the character mentioned can be safely, expeditiously and economically crushed and powdered;

and to this end the invention, generally stated, comprises a vibratory structure having therein loosely supported crushing bars which-are so constructed and individually arranged as tobe rapidly and irregularly jarred and'agitated by the vibratory motion of the structure, without contacting with each other, whereby agglomerate masses of material deposited in the structure are subjected to the efficient reducing action of the bars without danger of accidental ignition of the material.

The invention also comprises such a structure having screening devices for the crushed material.

parts, all of which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the draw1ngsl lgure 1 1s a longitudinal vert cal sectlon .of an apparatus embodying the preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is'ahorizontal section, as on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

1 Fig. 3 is a partial transverse vertical section, as on'the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar section, as on the lint 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section through several of the crushing bars and adjuncts, as in actual operation.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of Iobne of the bars and its associated end suppo Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views of modified forms of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, lOdesignates a substantial base having thereon brackets 11 to which are secured up-standing spring strips 12 which resiliently support at their upper ends an elongated box structure in which the material is crushed and finely divided. means of links l3 with eccentrics 14 on a shaft 15 having its hearings on suitably-disposed standards 16. Thus by actuation of the shaft from a suitable source of power the structure is bodily vibrated. Any other suitable supporting and actuating means for the structure may be employed.

The box structure, in its preferred form, comprises two spaced side walls 17; end walls 18, 19 and a bottom 20 having a depend'ng hopper discharge portion 21. The end wall 19 has therein two openings 22, 23, whereof one, which constitutes an inlet. is located about the middle and the other which constitutes an outlet, is located near the bottom of the wall. This wall 19 is provided with chutes 24, 25 for the inlet and outlet openings, respectively.

Extending longitudinally ofthe structure. in spaced relation to each other, are two floors 26, 2-7, and a screen 28, all being inclined in respect to'each other, as shown.

This structure is connected by.

While the fioor 27 similarly to the floor 26,

may be imperforate throughout its length, yet the former is preferably provided at intervals with transverse screen or reticulated sections 270 for a purpose hereafter explained. The floor-26 inclines downwardly from the end wall 18, near the top of the latter, andterminates short of the end wall 5 19 to provide an opening the inlet 22 the floor 27 inclines downwardly from the end wall 19, and terminates short of the end wall 18 to provide an opening 30; and the screen 2 inclines downwardly from the end wall 18,.slightly below the opening 30, to the lower opening 23 in the end wall 19. "A curved shelf 31 is preferably arranged at the upper end of the screen 28. On the inner faces of the side walls 17 are two parallel rows of corresponding pockets or sockets which are arranged downwardly from a level adjacent the lower or open end of the floor 26 to a level directly above the lower or open end of the floor 27. In the present instance the pockets or sockets of each side wall 17 are formed by substantially vertical partitions 32' which are arranged at intervals apart along the wall with their lower ends upon the adjacent edge portions of the floor 27, and by a rail 32 which is arranged to extend along the tops of the partitions and in spaced parallel relation to said wall. The pockets of each row are preferably arranged in groups adjacent the present instance four groups of pockets are shown in each of the side walls of the structure, the first or upper group'comprising three pockets; the second group four pockets; and the third and fourth groups five pockets each; but it is to be understood that the number of. pockets in each group may be varied to meet particular requirements.-

Loosely seated in the corresponding groups of pockets of the respective rows are the ends of relatively heavy bars 33 which, \during the rapid vibration of the structure, are irregularl jarredand agitated within the confines of their respective pockets, so as to reduce the material on the imperforate portions of the floor 27. The bars are thus individually supported and separated from each other so as to be out of contact with each other at all times' One or more of the upper bars of each group are preferably maintained slightly above the level of the floor 27 by means, such as inclined bearing strips 271 secured to the imperforate portions, adjacent the side walls. Preferably also one (or more) of the bars below the raised bars of each grcup is made relatively heavier that the others. The heavier bars are indicated at A. The bars, with the exception of their end portions which enter the pockets and" the surfaces which bear upon the strips necessarily hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal form in cross-section so as to pre- 'senta multiplicity of angular mpact sur--- 29 directly above opening 35 by way of to incline the, imperforate portions of the floor 27. In.

.upper end of the screen 28.

271, are preferably though not faces to the material to be reduced. The bearing portions of the bars are preferably rounded in order to minimize their wearing action on the opposing surfaces of the pock- I ets and strips.

' The sides, ends and open top of the box structure are covered by a hood or casing 34 which is supported at one end by the standards 16 and at the other end by similar standards 16. In the top of the hood or casing adjacent the end wall 18, is a hopper which the material to be treated is delivered to the upper end of the floor 26, which floor in its rapid vibration distributes the material in a layer along the floor and discharges it through the opening 29 whence it falls in a stream upon the elevated end of the floor 27. The lumps are caused to work down the floor, while the fine particles pass through the meshes of the screen sections and to the underlying screen 28, whence they flow into the hopper opening 21 and are discharged thence into an underlying receptacle, as 36. The coarser particles .and lumps passing along the floor 27 are subjected to the rapid impact of the multiplicity of corners o the successive bars as the latter are variably agitated; the diversiform masses thus being gradually reduced during their downward progress on the floor 27 This material when it reaches the opening 30 is of different degrees of reduction, whereupon it is delivered to the shelf 31 and diverted thereby to the The material thus reduced is shaken along the lower screen and thereby the powder is sifted through to the hopper'21 and the larger particles pass to and escape through the outlet 23.

The feature of the spaced screen sections of the crushing floorv and the arrangement of the bars in groups alternating therewith, is an important one in the practical operation of the apparatus, since thereby the powder is separated from the lumps as rapidly as it is produced. In the absence of the screen sections the material has a tendency to accumulate at the lower end of the crushing floor owing to the fact that the lumps naturally t vel down the incline faster than the powdei'ed material, and as the operation of the apparatus continues the lumps travel over the powdered material, but at a reduced speed; the result being an accumula tion along the floor of powdered material which acts as 'a cushion for the lumps and makes the reducing impact thereon of the bars less eflicient. The employment of the heavier bars in the respective groups increases the efliciency of'the screen sections of the crushing floor by retarding the progress of the material and thus giving each tion more oppor-' tunity'to separate the powder produced by 130 the immediately preceding group of crushing bars. The raising of the first few bars of each group above the crushing floor, by the strips 271, prevents the larger lumps from riding over'the bars.

It is to be noted that the. impact of the bars against the vertical partitions constituting the sides of the pockets is reduced to-a minimum by adjusting the space between the bars and the adjacent partitions to accord with the throw or length of vibration of the box structure. If such space be much greater than the length of vibration the bars become embedded in the material and vibrate in unison with the structure; and if, on the other hand, the space be smaller than the length of vibration the impact of the bars against the partitions becomes too severe and may cause ignition of some materials. It is to be noted also that individual bars are maintained at all times out of contact with each other, thus avoiding mutual rubbing friction of adjacent bars and liability of resulting ignition of sensitive material.

The vibration of the structure may be in any direction, vertical, sidewise, or both, but preferably a horizontal: lengthwise vibration with a slight vertical motion is imparted to the structure through mechanism of the character previously described.

By the construction, arrangement and operation of the crushing bars above described the reduction of the lumps of material to powder form is efi'ected by the rapid impact of'the angular portions of the bars againstthe underlying material; the polygonal configuration of the loosely supported bars and the variable action and reaction thereof on the adjacent pocket Walls and on the opposing material, insure a compound rotary, for' ward and back and rising and falling movement of the individual bars without liability of dangerous rubbing friction on thematerial; and, further, in virtue of such configuration of the bars and their characteristic action, the surfaces of the bars are self-cleaning in thatthere is no opportunity. for the material to accumulate and cake thereon. r

I preferably arrange at the discharging end of the structure a transfer device adapted to receive the escaping materialand deliver it to the inlet chute 24, whence the material is directed to the floor 27 and again subjected to the crushing andscreening operations until a powder of the requisite fineness has been obtained. 1,1 i

In the present instance the transfer, device comprises a drum 37 fast on'a central shaft 38 having its bearingin the end of the hood or casing 34. Thisshaft is equipped with a pulley 39 which is driven from a suitable source of power. .The drum is provided with internal vanes 40 and isarranged in a on the material; that mounted within 7 the screen 28 is omitted and the crushing floor 27, is arranged to deliver the powdered material through the screen sections 270 to the discharge hopper. In this construction the lower end of the crushing floor leads to v the transfer drum and an inclined floor 26 overlying the crushing floor receives the material from the drum and directs it to the upper end of the crushing floor.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 8

the vibratory structure includes transverse whlch are nnposed parallel partitions 32' directly on the screen sides of the partitions being inclined or rounded as shown. The relatively heavy polygonal reducing bars 33 are loosely contained in and lengthwise of the spaces or compartments between the partitions. The material to be treated is introduced into such spaces or compartments, and hence in the rapid vibration of the structure the bars exert a rapid crushing and reducing action is to say, the bars are caused to contact with and rebound from the inclined sides of the partitions with a rolling motion and thus rapidly impinge 28, the upstanding against the opposing material until the requisite reduction thereof has been accomplished. The reduced material is sif ed through the screen.

It isto be understood thatI do not limit myself to the specific construction disclosed as, the same may be variously modified within the principle of my invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim- 1 An apparatus of the character de scribed comprising a container having a floor portion, means supporting said container and permitting its bodily vibration, individual reducing bars mounted within said container loosely supporting the individual bars in spaced relation to each other and permitting their variable bodily movement without contact with each other when the container is vibrated.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a container having a floor portion, individual reducing bars said container for operating directly upon material on the floor portion, means loosely supporting the individual bars in spaced apart relation and permitting their variable bodily movement without contact with each other, and means for effecting a relative jarring action between the container and the bars.

for operating directly upon" material on the floor portion, and means 3. apparatus of the characterdescribed comprising a container having lateral rows of separated bar supports, a material supporting element below said supports, said rows being inclined in respect to said element, individual reducing bars loosely seated at their ends on said supports so as to be spaced apart from and have capacity for variable movement independently of each other, and means for eifecting a relative jarring; action between the container and the ars.

4:. An apparatus of the character described comprising a container having a crushing floor including spaced screen sections, groups of reducing bars loosely supported at intervals and positioned adjacent the floor and in-alternation with the screen sections, the individual bars of each group being separated from each other, and means for effecting a relative 'jarring action between the container and the bars.

5. An apparatus of the, character described comprising a container. having a crushing floor including spaced screen sections, groups of reducing bars loosely supported at intervals and positioned adjacent the floor and in alternation with the screen sections, means whereby certain of the bars of each group are maintained above the surface of the floor, and means for efiecting a relative jarring action between thecontainer and the bars. V

I 6. An apparatus of the character described comprising a container having a crushing floor including spaced screen sections, groups of reducing bars loosely supported at intervals and positioned adjacent the floor and in alternation with the screen sections, one of the bars of each group being relatively heavierthan the others of the and means for effecting a relative roup 2': 7

between'the container and jarring action the bars. V

7. An apparatus of the character described comprising a container having a crushing floor including spaced screen sections, groups of reducing bars looselyswpported at intervals and positioned adjacent the floor and in alternation with the screen sections,'means whereby certain of the bars of each group are maintained above the surface of the floor, one of the remaining bars of each group being relatively heavier than the others of the group, and means for cf fecting a relative jarring action between the container and the bars;

8. An apparatus of the character described comprising a inclined crushing floor longitudinally thereof, reducing bars loosely sugrported at intervals apart transversely o the floor and positioned to act progressively uapon material flowing toward the lower end of the floor, a screen beneath and in communication with the lower end of the floor, and means for bodily agitating the container.

9. An apparatus of the character decontainer having an scribed comprising a container having an inclined receiving floor therein and a erushlng floor inclined downwardly from and in communication with the lower end of the receiving floor, reducing bars loosely supported at intervals apart transversely of the crushing floor and positioned to act progressively upon material flowing toward the lower end of the latter, and means for bodily agitating 7 said container.

10. An apparatus of the character described comprising a container havingan outlet inthe bottom thereof, an inlet in the top, a. receiving floor inclined downwardly from a level adjacent said inlet, a crushing floor inclined downwardly fromand in com- 'munication with the lower end of the receiving floor, reducing bars loosely supported at intervals apart transversely of the crushing floor and positioned to act progressively upon material flowing toward the lower end of the floor, a screen beneath and in communication with the lower end of the crushing floor, and means for bodily agitating the container. of 11. An apparatus of the character described comprising a container having an outlet in the bottom thereof, an inlet in the top, a receiving floorinclined downwardly from a level adjacent said inlet, a crushing floor inclined downwardly from and in communication w th the lower end of the receiving floor, reducing bars loosely supported at intervals apart transversely of the crushing floor :and positioned to act progressively upon maizerial flowing toward the lower end of the floor,

from and in communication with the lower endof the crushing floor, the container having in one end thereof an outlet from the screen and an inlet to the crushing floor, and

means for receiving material from the end ontletand returning it to the end inlet.

Signed at Barberton, in the county Summit and State of Ohio this 17th day of September A, D. 1917. j

CLARENCE L. PFEBSGH.

a screen mchned downwardly of a 

